Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-12-21

about him, ''it's gone ! It was some
trick by the boys. They hate me and
like to annoy me. Yes, it's gone"
cit is here !" answered g. voice, and
10 the shadow stepped into view on
the hearthstone.
In his amazement the old man was
silent for q moment, and before he had
found his voice the shadow-thes some
thing-said:
ST have been with you for half q CEN
fury, but never before this night have
you seen me-"
"And-and why tonight % asked
Miser John in q trembling voice.
"Because your life ends with the
year When the bells ring out the
old and ring in the new you will be no
more on earth. John White, what
has been placed to your credit on the
books OF Heaven ?"
"Why-why, I've obeyed the law,
haven't | And I never done nobody
any harm. l amt no Christian, but
I've tried to live right"
81 have been with you all these long
years, John White You have been
an usurer. You have let avarice
triumph in your heart. Selfshness
has chased all pity from your soul.
The widow, the orphan and the poor
and unfortunate have appealed to
you In vain"
"They wanted my money !" whined
the old man.
"Men have learned to hate you and
children to shun you, continued the
voice. "You have gold hidden away,
but you have no friends. If your soul
was to pass from earth tonight there
is not one human being in all this
world who would volunteer to toll
your years upon the nearest church
bell. Point me to one who is your
friend. Tell me the name Of one you
have befriended. If you have ever
done one kind act towards humanity
speak of it that Imay have it record
ed on the books of the angel in Heav-
en-"
The old man was silent.
"You have been an u=urer with the
rich-a robber of the poor. Even this
night you went forth to gloat over
the troubles and misfortunes of fell
low-beipg. Hark to the winter winds !
Feel the cold as it creeps in through
crack and crevice +! And yet, to add a
few dollars to your hoard you would
turn helpless children out doors ~
There was never g word from the
shiveripg, trembling manwho crouched
over the dying fire.
'sAnd this is the last week of your
life, whispered the voice. You will
die here in your bed, and it may be
days and days before men miss and
enter this grim old house to find you
dead. Your hoard of gold will buy
you coffin and shroud and grave,
but there will be no mourners. Chill
dren will even rejoice that you are
gone !"
With head in his hands, and his half
closed eyes looking into the fire, the
old man remained silent for q long,
long time. By and by he lifted his
head with sudden start of surprise,
and the something was gone. He
called out to it, he searched the dark
corners, but it had silently dis
appeared.
It was the day before Christmas.
Clark, the mechanic, entered M:ser
OOAA dOOSS WILL c1uN VI CI1OIIuE.
He came out wiping the tears from his
eyes AID his face illuminated with
the great Joy in his heart.
Miser John had cancelled the mort
gage: Otuers came and went with the
same feelings. The widowed and the
fatherless IN g. dozen homes were
made glad by presents of food and
fuel, and men whispered to each other
as they passed: "Isn't it curious.
Miser John has gone crazy -
M
When the sections stood In the
churches to ring the requiem of the
dying year, and then to peal the deep
toned bells to welcome in the new.
men came to them and said:
"When that is done you must toll
the death Of Misor John. He died an
hour ago.